Description of Characteristics:
- Performance Verification: ETV is a voluntary scheme that verifies the performance claims of innovative environmental technologies, providing independent and credible evidence to support their market uptake.
- Third-Party Verification: The verification process is conducted by independent, accredited verification bodies using standardized and internationally recognized methods.
- Focus on Innovation: ETV targets technologies that go beyond existing standards and certifications, promoting eco-innovation and market access for new and emerging solutions.
- Multiple Technology Areas: ETV covers a wide range of environmental technology areas, including water treatment, waste management, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and materials and resources.
- SME-Friendly: ETV is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may face challenges in demonstrating the performance of their innovative technologies.
- Facilitates Market Access: ETV verification can help innovative technologies gain market acceptance and attract investment by providing credible evidence of their environmental performance.
Targeted Audience:
- Technology Providers: Companies and organizations developing innovative environmental technologies.
- Investors and Purchasers: Those seeking reliable information on the environmental performance of new technologies.
- Policymakers: ETV can support policymakers in promoting the adoption of sustainable technologies.
Specific Criteria:
- Technology Eligibility: Technologies must be innovative, have a positive environmental impact, and go beyond existing standards and certifications.
- Performance Claims: Technology providers must clearly define and document the performance claims they want to verify.
- Verification Process: The process includes:
- Application: The technology provider submits an application to an accredited verification body.
- Verification Plan: The verification body develops a verification plan, outlining the testing and assessment procedures.
- Testing and Assessment: Independent testing and assessment are conducted to verify the performance claims.
- Verification Statement: The verification body issues a verification statement, providing independent and credible evidence of the technology’s performance.
Reporting Principles:
- Transparency: The verification process is transparent, with clear documentation and communication of the results.
- Credibility: Verification is conducted by independent and accredited bodies using standardized methods.
- Objectivity: The verification process is objective and impartial, ensuring a fair assessment of the technology’s performance.
Reporting Process:
- Technology Provider:
- Develop Performance Claims: Clearly define and document the environmental performance claims of the technology.
- Submit Application: Submit an application to an accredited verification body.
- Collaborate with Verification Body: Work with the verification body to develop the verification plan and provide necessary documentation and access to the technology.
- Verification Body:
- Develop Verification Plan: Outline the testing and assessment procedures to verify the performance claims.
- Conduct Testing and Assessment: Conduct independent testing and assessment using standardized methods.
- Issue Verification Statement: Provide a verification statement summarizing the results and confirming the verified performance claims.
Connections to Other Frameworks:
- ISO: In 2016, the International Standardization Organization (ISO) published a new standard (ISO 14034) on Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) and Performance Evaluation, to provide the basis for mutual recognition of ETV verifications. The ISO 14034 Standard specifies principles, procedures and requirements for environmental technology verification. In 2018, it was also published as a CEN Standard (EN ISO 14034).
- Complementary to Standards and Certification: ETV can be used in conjunction with existing standards and certifications to provide additional evidence of a technology’s environmental performance.
Challenges:
- Cost and Time: The ETV verification process can be costly and time-consuming, which may be a barrier for some technology developers, especially smaller companies.
- Limited Scope: ETV currently focuses on a limited number of technology areas.
- Market Acceptance: While ETV verification can enhance credibility, market acceptance of new technologies still depends on various factors, including cost, performance, and regulatory environment.
Compliance Guidance:
- ETV Website: The European Commission’s ETV website provides information on the scheme, the verification process, and accredited verification bodies.
- ETV Guidance Documents: The ETV Secretariat has published guidance documents on various aspects of the verification process.
Usability Evaluation:
- Level of Adoption: Growing adoption in the EU, particularly for innovative environmental technologies seeking market access and investment.
- Ease of Use: The verification process can be complex, requiring collaboration with accredited verification bodies and adherence to standardized methods.
- Focus Areas: Focuses specifically on verifying the environmental performance claims of innovative technologies.
- Data Availability: Data availability depends on the technology provider’s ability to generate and provide reliable performance data.
SyncFrame Compatibility:
- Strong Alignment: SyncFrame’s focus on impact measurement, data-driven insights, and sustainable technology aligns well with the objectives of ETV.
- Technology Verification: SyncFrame’s SyncSpark category can leverage ETV verification statements as evidence of the environmental performance of technologies.
- Expert Guidance: SyncFrame advisors can provide support in navigating the ETV process and integrating verification results into broader ESG reporting.
Reference Links/Resources:
- European Commission – ETV: https://green-business.ec.europa.eu/eu-environmental-technology-verification_en
SyncFrame’s compatibility with ETV allows technology providers to leverage their verification statements to demonstrate the impact of their innovations and build trust with stakeholders. This integration further strengthens SyncFrame’s position as a comprehensive ESG framework that supports sustainable development across various sectors and industries.
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